Royce Dale Jones

If you are from Davis or have lived here for any amount of time, you know Royce Dale Jones, or at least you have heard his name. He may have been born in Cherry Valley, Arkansas, but Davis is HIS hometown. "There is no better town in the world!" He would say, and he helped make Davis worthy of that claim.

He graduated from Woodland High School in 1952, then joined the Army in April of 1953. He served his country during the Korean War until April of 1955. The day he returned to town, he stopped at the Log Cabin restaurant, and there he met Juanita Sise. It was love at first sight. That day, he vowed he would marry her, and six months later, on November 26, 1955, they were married. They enjoyed 71 blissful years of marriage and had two children, Marita and Stan, who were the light of their lives.

Royce worked for an oil company in Ratliff City before attending Barber School. He graduated in 1958 and immediately began his career as a barber that same year. He eventually opened his own shop on Main Street and became the town barber for 58 years, cutting thousands of heads of hair. I don't think there are many boys or men who have not sat in one of Royce Dale's barber chairs, where encouragement and advice came free of charge. I can't imagine how many important decisions were made at that little shop on Main Street.

At the same time, Royce was busy working in the community he loved. From being a lifetime member of Kiwanis, a 65-year member of the Masonic Lodge, part of the Chamber of Commerce, with Juanita, Grand Marshall of the Christmas Parade, and a board member of the Murray County Economic Authority, where he was influential in the city's purchase of Turner Falls, to 20 years on the Davis Volunteer Fire Department, with 13 of those years spent as Fire Chief, and 50 years as the Chairman of the citywide Easter Egg Hunt, where he stuffed over 250,000 eggs and handed out prize money to hundreds of Davis kids.

He also helped kids in other areas. He was the Royal Ambassador's leader, Sunday School teacher, baseball coach, and Cub Scout leader to name a few. He was a faithful supporter of Davis Wolves football, winning the honor of Number 1 Fan in 2004. He stood on the fence for every game except for 2 in 30 years. In that 30-year period he had the privilege to see not only his son, but his 2 grandsons win the state championship in 1979, 2013, and 2014. These were proud moments that he continued to talk about throughout his life.

Royce was a devoted follower of Jesus Christ and recognized the beauty and purpose of His creation. He spent countless hours with family and friends outdoors, observing nature. Those hours were often spent hunting, fishing, or sitting around a campfire sharing stories.

As the patriarch of our family his impact as a brother, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather will never be forgotten. He was a man above reproach, a man of his word, a man who gave generously without hesitation, and a man who stressed the importance of a promise kept. He will be remembered as a man whose actions in life echoed through the hearts of generations and left a lasting legacy. We will miss you Royce Dale Jones.

Those left to carry on Royce's legacy include his wife, Juanita Jones; his son, Stan Jones & wife Daleen; his five grandchildren, Rachel Thomas & husband Dan, Mackenzie Jones, Hunter Jones, Cooper Jones, and Colten Carver; his three great-grandchildren, Caleb, Ethan & Isaac Thomas; his sisters, Wanda Watson-Webb & husband Don, Doris Jones, Brenda McCurry & husband Jon, and Fran Garrison; his brother, Richard "Dick" Jones; as well as a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to his parents, Royce was preceded in death by his daughter, Marita Jones Carver & husband Rick; one sister, Christine Boydston & husband Hudson; and one brother, Don Jones & wife Norma.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 AM, on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at the First Baptist Church of Davis. Pastor Tony Randol will officiate the service. Interment will follow at the Green Hill Cemetery, in Davis.